Two people on opposite sides of a civil war. Francis Dreda is an officer in the Taylian State Security Bureau who enforces obedience to the law by the deterrent of prison and the noose. He investigates the activities of the outspoken and intellectual Lady Felea Whelani who he suspects aids the rebels by codebreaking and feeding and educating their children. They should be mortal enemies but are intrigued by each other but he mistrusts women and Felea is repulses Felea by his detachment and his severity. Can love overcome cultural differences and prejudice? Can Felea humanise this officer? This is not a paranormal novel but the heroine has visions.